Episodes
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BPR Full Show 5/11/20: Serenity When?
Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened lines to talk with listeners about the disconnect between President Trump's words and actions around COVID-19. Dr. Ken Duckworth from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mass. talked about the troubling mental health risks brought by the pandemic, and responded to questions from callers. Writer and Brigham & Women’s Hospital physician Dr. Daniela Lamas discussed easements of her hospitals's visitor policy to help grieving families, and talked about the long-term physical and mental toll that follows prolonged stays in an ICU . TV expert Bob Thompson reviewed Jerry Seinfeld's new stand-up special, and commemorated the life of comedian Jerry Stiller. We reopened our lines to continue the coronavirus conversation with listeners, ahead of Gov. Charlie Baker’s Monday press conference. We aired live audio of the governor's press conference. -
BPR Full Show 5/8/20: And Now... Murder Hornets
Today on Boston Public Radio: Sen. Ed Markey discussed his latest stimulus proposal in the Senate, and what he thinks about corporate liability protections in the age of coronavirus. We opened our lines to talk with listeners about murder hornets, coronavirus, historic unemployment, and everything else that’s horrible right now. *Beat the Press *host Emily Rooney aired her grievances over the fact that golf courses got reopening priority over tennis courts, and read a murder hornet-themed list of fixations and fulminations. *Under the Radar *host Callie Crossley discussed the killing of Ahmaud Arbery, as well as the latest news around Tara Reade’s sexual assault allegation against Joe Biden. Boston Globe business columnist Shirley Leung assessed Gov. Charlie Baker’s approach to reopening businesses in Massachusetts, and talked about the toll quarantine is wreaking on the state's economy. Writer and journalist Iris Krasnow discussed her new memoir, “Camp Girls: Fireside Lessons on Friendship, Courage, and Loyalty." We opened our lines to get nostalgic with listeners about your summer camp experiences. -
BPR Full Show 5/7/20: Fore!
Today on Boston Public Radio: – NBC “Meet the Press” moderator Chuck Todd talked about the partisan split over reopening the U.S., and his assessment that America is “the dirty country” in context of the global health crisis. – Former Suffolk County Sheriff and Secretary of Public Safety Andrea Cabral discussed the current Supreme Court debate over birth control coverage, and her take on the statements made by Suffolk County DA Rachel Rollins about laissez-faire public defenders. – We opened lines to talk with callers about the return of golf courses and gun shops to Massachusetts. – We aired live audio from Gov. Charlie Baker’s Thursday press conference. – Boston Globe columnist Alex Beam called in to lead the BPR book club, where he discussed James Taylor’s new audio biography with Jim, Margery, and listeners who called in. -
BPR Full Show 5/6/20: Jennifer Horn on 'Mourning in America'
Today on Boston Public Radio: Medical ethicist Art Caplan discussed issues with President Trump’s goal of reopening the country by Memorial Day, and his reporting on how to ethically determine what kinds of medical care are ‘essentiail’ during the COVID-19 pandemic. Jim and Margery discussed President Trump’s public reversal on his promise of shutting down his coronavirus task force. Boston Globe editor Brian McGrory discussed the stigmas around Coronavirus deaths, and the addition of the “Comfort Zone” section in the Globe. CNN analyst Juliette Kayyem discussed the pressure from GOP members to reopen the economy, and warnings from weather analysts about this years’ hurricane season. Lincoln Project co-founder and former New Hampshire GOP chair Jennifer Horn discussed the Lincoln Project's new attack ad on President Trump, and why the group of Republicans are working to vote the president out of office in November. We aired live audio from Gov. Charlie Baker’s Wednesday press conference. We opened our lines to talk with listeners about all things coronavirus WGBH Executive Arts Editor Jared Bowen talked about the toll of the COVID-19 pandemic on smaller museums around the world, and a virtual film series from the Coolidge Corner theater on the career of Lee Grant. -
BPR Full Show 5/5/20: Knuckleheadism
Today on Boston Public Radio: – Rep. Joe Kennedy discussed concerns about meat plant workers returning to work, and his call for an investigation into the violent conflict at a Bristol County ICE detention center. – Food writer Corby Kummer discussed unsafe working conditions for meat plant workers, and proposed legislation to expand food stamps and bring additional cash for restaurants owners. – We opened lines to talk with listeners about Monday's anti-lockdown protests at the Mass. State House. – Carol Rose from the Mass. ACLU talked about voting rights in the age of coronavirus, and her group’s campaign to have Gov. Baker grant additional clemency to non-violent offenders in state prisons. – Former presidential candidate Andrew Yang talked about the success of the $1,200 federal stimulus checks, and the goals of his ‘Move Humanity Forward’ PAC. – We reopened lines to talk with listeners about anti-lockdown protests and your thoughts on the federal government’s handling of the COVID-19 crisis. -
'Social Distancing Is Impossible' In Meat Packing Plants, Says Corby Kummer
President Donald Trump classified meat plants as essential infrastructure last week, implying that they must remain open. Food writer Corby Kummer spoke with Boston Public Radio *on Tuesday about the ability of meat packing plants to stay open amid coronavirus outbreaks. "[Meat packing plants] are among the most dangerous, inhumane, cruelly run business operations in the United States," Kummer said. "Social distancing is impossible [in meat packing plants] because you're under incredible pressure to keep the line speed up." Meat packing plants consist of horrible working conditions, Kummer noted. "There's no reason to keep these cruel inhumane places open." *Kummer is a *senior editor at The Atlantic*, an award-winning food writer, and a senior lecturer at the Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition and Policy. -
BPR Full Show 5/4/20: The Beauty of Slicing Onions
Today on Boston Public Radio: Dr. Benjamin Linas, infectious disease physician at Boston Medical Center, discussed why Mass. has the third most COVID-19 cases in the U.S., and responded to questions from callers. We opened our lines to talk with callers about Gov. Charlie Baker’s new mandate that all Mass. residents wear face masks. We aired live audio from Gov. Baker’s Monday press conference. WGBH news analyst and GroundTruth Project CEO Charlie Sennott talked about World Press Freedom Day, and his fears about the future of journalism at home and abroad. TV expert Bob Thompson discussed the overrated importance of bookshelves in virtual conferences and interviews, and gave a breakdown of the best and worst TV of the week. Travel guru Rick Steves gave his thoughts on the eventual reemergence of international travel, and explained his newfound appreciation for the domestic aspects of life. -
BPR Full Show 5/1/20: The Allegation
Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened lines to talk with callers about the sexual assault allegation against former Vice President Joe Biden. Tech writer Andy Ihnatko discussed the latest news around coronavirus tracing software from Apple and Google, and how social media companies are handling pandemic misinformation. Beat the Press host Emily Rooney gave her take on Joe Biden’s response to the sexual assault allegation against him, and read a coronavirus-themed list of fixations and fulminations. Media maven Sue O’Connell discussed the sexual assault allegation against Joe Biden, and the Trump administration’s proposed rollbacks on protections for trans people in U.S hospitals. Husband and wife duo Joanne Chang and Christopher Meyers, of the restaurant Meyers + Chang, talked about how their businesses are doing amid the pandemic, and give their take on the future for Boston's restauranteurs. We opened lines to ask listeners why you think Massachusetts is struggling to lower its cases of COVID-19. We aired live audio from Gov. Charlie Baker’s Friday press conference. -
BPR Full Show 4/30/20: Zoom Court!
Today on Boston Public Radio: Suffolk County DA Rachel Rollins discussed how her administration is responding to the pandemic, and answered questions from callers. We opened lines to ask callers: are there certain businesses you’d be okay with seeing reopen now? We aired live audio from Gov. Charlie Baker’s press conference. Former Suffolk County Sheriff and Secretary of Public Safety Andrea Cabral discussed Sen. Mitch McConnell’s push to reopen the Senate, and the struggles of holding court proceedings over Zoom. NBC “Meet the Press” moderator Chuck Todd also talked about Sen. McConnell’s plans to reopen the Senate, as well as the sexual assault allegation against Vice President Joe Biden. We opened lines to continue our conversation about the possibility of a safe reopening of certain businesses and services. -
BPR Full Show 4/29/20: No Mask for Pence
Today on Boston Public Radio: Congressman Jim McGovern gave his take on remote voting, and Washington politicians who refuse to wear face masks. Medical ethicist Art Caplan talked about the disproportionate number of COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes and long-term care facilities, and commemorated the life his mother, who passed away from the disease this week. We opened our lines to talk with listeners about Vice President Mike Pence’s refusal to wear a face mask during his visit to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. We aired live audio from Gov. Baker’s Wednesday press conference. Former Secretary of Transportation Jim Aloisi discussed the impact of COVID-19 on the MBTA, and how the pandemic could be used as an opportunity to improve the city's transit system. CNN analyst Juliette Kayyem talked about her writing for the Atlantic on how states ought to handle reopening their economies, and JetBlue’s latest requirement that fliers wear face masks. Playwright Ryan Landry talked about his new painting habit, and what he envisions for the future of his Gold Dust Orphans theater company.
